European Aluminium has reported an overall recycling rate of 73% for aluminium beverage cans in Europe, indicating a 1.6% increase compared with 2014.

According to the organisation, the recycling rate is in line with its aim to achieve aluminium recycling target of 75% by 2025 proposed by the European Union (EU).

The metal from the recycled packaging is said to be available in the European circular economy for the manufacture of new aluminium products.

“We strongly recommend that local authorities, together with the waste management chain, invest more in innovative sorting technologies.”

Recycling aluminium is said to consume 95% less energy compared with its production from raw materials, and the process is reported to generate 5% of the greenhouse gas emissions.

While all European citizens together recycle more than 60% of used aluminium packaging, European Aluminium feels that the industry and its partners still have to work on achieving the newly proposed targets within a relatively short period.

The organisation urges the EU member states to make efforts to collect, sort and recycle more aluminium packaging items over the coming years.

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European Aluminium Packaging Group director Maarten Labberton said: ‘’While we support the ambitious 75% target for aluminium packaging, we strongly recommend that local authorities, together with the waste management chain, invest more in innovative sorting technologies.

“Fortunately, these investments will pay off quickly, due to the relatively high scrap value of aluminium.”

The organisation is currently operating an awareness programme called Every Can Counts to address collection and recycling of cans used at the workplace, festivals or other outdoor events.